Century 21 Collection, 1959-1963
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Century 21 Collection
- Dates
- 1959-1963 (inclusive)19591963
- Quantity
- 2 boxes , (1.33 cubic feet)
- Collection Number
- 2010.3.20 (accession)
- Summary
- Guidebooks, ephemera and souvenirs from the 1962 Settle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition).
- Repository
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Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
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The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Content Description
The collection includes a variety of souvenir material commemorating the fair, including guidebooks to the fair and to Seattle; local and national magazines with articles about the fair; and souvenir placemats, stamps and envelopes, and picture books of the Fair. Official reports document the fountain contest, planning of the Fair, the U.S. Science Exhibit, and Seattle Center in the year after of the Fair. Ephemera includes tickets to various fair areas and events; clippings about the fair, organized by subject; menus and maps; and flyers and brochures.
Historical Background
Over 10 million visitors attended the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) from April 21 to October 21, 1962. The 74 acre Exposition site was a mile north of Seattle’s downtown business area, and the grounds were divided into: World of Science, World of Tomorrow, World of Commerce and Industry, World of Art, World of Entertainment, Show Street, Gayway, Boulevards of the World, Exhibit Fair and Food Circus. Besides the Space Needle and Monorail, the Fair also featured a Skyride that ran across the grounds from the Gayway to the International Mall. Over 2500 live performance events were held during the Fair in various entertainment venues.
Century 21 press coverage included exposure in publications and broadcast media in every state. Over 2.5 million pieces of promotional materials were distributed. Tourist and collectible items of every type were produced by individual entrepreneurs and companies. Over 200 songs were written about the Fair, and over 50 recorded on vinyl disc. Fair related songs were sold as souvenir music sheets and recordings. Nearly 100 tunes were submitted to fair management in the hopes of becoming the official tune.
The fairground construction and renovation projects involved years of city planning, but several projects, including the Space Needle, Monorail and Washington State Coliseum were completed in a relatively short 18-month timeframe. More than half the structures built for Century were torn down when the fair ended in October 1962, but the fair left behind numerous public works, including the Coliseum, Monorail, Space Needle, Opera House, Center House and Science Pavilion. As originally planned, the new “Seattle Center” became a lasting cultural heritage for the region.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format here.
Restrictions on Use
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Century 21 Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged in 9 series:
- Tickets and programs
- Guides, brochures and books
- Reports
- Magazines
- Souvenirs
- Press and advertising
- Photographs and drawings
- Ephemera
- Miscellaneous
Location of Collection
2a.3.9 (box 1)Location of Collection
2a.3.5 (box 2)Location of Collection
5a.4.9 (sound recordings)Processing Note
The collection was created by repository staff from materials in several accessions: 1962.2799; 1963.2997; 1976.6362; 1977.6478; 1978.6695; 1983.69; 1985.26; 1989.26; 1994.40; 1995.6.148; 1998.30.2; 2002.22; 2006.37; 2006.49; 2009.7; 2010.1.107; 2010.3.21; 2011.60; 2011.62; 2011.113; 2012.33; 2013.59; 2013.99; 2014.101; 2017.20; 2018.17; 2019.27, 2021.31; 2022.40.
A special edition of the Seattle Times was added to the collection in 2015.
Related Materials
Robert D. Ashley Century 21 Collection
Donald Isle Foster Collection on the Century 21 Exposition
Fred G. Christensen Collection on Seattle World’s Fair Construction Projects
Alfred H. Fast Collection on the Space Needle
Paulla Upjohn Collection on the Seattle World's Fair Hospitality Committee
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
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Tickets and programs
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Description: TicketsDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/1-3
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Description: Opening ceremoniesDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/4
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Description: Second Annual Conference of the Peaceful Uses of SpaceDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/5
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Description: Gracie Hansen presents Barry Ashton’s “A Night in Paradise”
Includes press release and photograph of Willa Baty
Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/6-8 -
Description: Seattle World’s Fair Civic Appreciation CeremoniesDates: 1962 April 19Container: Box/Folder 1/9
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Description: "World of Harmony," barbershop singing performanceDates: 1962 July 8Container: Box/Folder 1/9a
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Guides, brochures, books
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Description: Official Guide to Seattle CenterDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/10
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Description: Century 21 Exposition: A United States World ExpositionDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/11
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Description: Century 21 ExpositionDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/12
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Description: Northwest Art Today: Adventure in Art Catalog of the Fine Arts Exhibition at the Seattle World’s FairDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/13
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Description: The Spirit of Seattle by Harold MansfieldDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/14
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Description: Alweg Monorail: the fascinating story of the world’s most modern transportation systemDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/15
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Description: 2013.59: Alweg Monorail Technical DataDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/15
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Description: Paris Spectacular Wax MuseumDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/16
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Description: 2013.99: Your Adventure on Seattle's Space NeedleDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/16b
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Reports
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Description: Report of Seattle Civic Center Fountain ContestDates: circa 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/17
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Description: Report of Century 21 CommissionDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/18
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Description: U.S. Science Exhibit Final Report (U.S. Department of Commerce)Dates: 1963Container: Box/Folder 1/18
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Description: “The First Year,” report on Seattle Center’s operation in the first year following the Century 21 ExpositionDates: 1963Container: Box/Folder 1/19
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Magazines
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Description: The Argus Annual Collector’s Edition: A World’s Fair Comes to the NorthwestDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/20
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Description: Time magazine
Including article on the Century 21 Exposition, pages 60-65
Dates: 1962 April 27Container: Box/Folder 1/20b -
Description: Town & Country magazine
Cover features Century 21 Exposition.
Dates: 1962 AprilContainer: Box/Folder 1/20c -
Description: Architecture WestDates: 1962 AugustContainer: Box/Folder 2/1
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Description: Cascades, magazine of Pacific Northwest BellDates: 1962 AprilContainer: Box/Folder 2/2
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Description: Sunset Guide to the Pacific NorthwestDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/3
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Description: Inserts and covers from Time, Architectural Record, Business Week and Alaska SportsmanDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/21
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Description: Saturday Evening PostDates: 1961 November 25Container: Box/Folder 2/4
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Description: Camping Trails featuring camping at the Seattle’s World’s FairDates: 1962 MayContainer: Box/Folder 2/5
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Description: Life Magazine, "Fabulous Fair in Seattle"Dates: 1962 February 9Container: Box/Folder 2/9
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Souvenirs
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Description: Souvenir placematsDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/6
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Description: Stamps and envelopes
First day issue stamps and collectible envelopes from the Fair, and a page of Space Needle stamps.
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/22-24 -
Description: Souvenir metallic print of Science CenterDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/25
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Description: Souvenir mailable photo albums
Small (approximately 2” x 3”) albums of 10 color photographs from the Fair, with back cover printed for mailing.
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/26 -
Description: A Souvenir Picture Book of Washington, Seattle and the Seattle World’s FairDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27
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Description: Souvenir mailable box: “World’s Largest Cake”
Small box containing sheet of paper with information describing “Paul Bunyan’s 25,000-pound birthday cake” on display at the Fair
Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/27 -
Description: Circular guide showing distances and routes from Seattle to various U.S. citiesDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27a
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Description: Set of five sound postcards
Five photo postcards with 33 1/3 rpm sound recordings cut into front of card.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27b -
Description: Computer demonstration printouts
Includes a printout from the Bendix Computer Division demonstration reading "Congratulations. This ends a demonstration of how a computer is used to study the learning processes of man. This demonstrations was prepared in cooperation with the System Development Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. and Bendix Computer Division of the Bendix Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif." Also includes a printout from a demonstration by NCR.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27c -
Description: Four Viewmaster reels
Each disc contains 7 color photographs (2 images for each) to be viewed in "three dimension." Discs are titled: .1: Monorail & Fairgrounds; .2: Night--Space Needle; .3: Architectural Wonders; .4: The Amazing Exhibits.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27d -
Description: Seattle Times World's Fair Souvenir Edition
Eight sections of a special edition of the Seattle Times reporting on various aspects of the Fair, such as "Space Age Frontiers," "Modern Living," and "City of Tomorrow."
Dates: 1962 April 8Container: Box 3
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Press and advertising
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Description: Brochures promoting advertising opportunitiesDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/28
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Description: Official Press Book, Seattle World’s FairDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/29
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Description: 2018.17.1: Century 21 Countdown newspaper, Vol. 1, No. 14 pages
Century 21 Countdown newspaper, Vol. 1, No. 2 is part of MOHAI collection 2010.82.
Dates: Summer 1959Container: Box/Folder 1/29b
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Photographs and drawings
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Description: Children playing in fountainDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/7
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Description: People sitting on lawn with arches in backgroundDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/8
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Description: Nine 4 x 5 contact prints of monorail and 6 contact prints of official visits, including Richard NixonDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/30
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Description: Aerial view
Color half-tone reproduction
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/31 -
Description: Five women dressed in ethnic costume holding oversized Century 21 admission ticket8 x 10 in.
The women are dressed in the traditional clothing of Norway, Greece, Japan, Sweden and China.
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/31b -
Description: Drawings
2 Century 21 themed single frame cartoons (reproductions); 1 white on black drawing reproduction of monorail
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/32
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Ephemera
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Description: Clippings
Clippings filed by subject under the following headings: Attendance, Science Center--Schedules—Special Events, Problems Fair and Post-Fair—Security, Staff and Fair Employees, Personalities, Leading up to World’s Fair (also closing of Fair), Building for Fair, Foreign Exhibits/ Foreign Visitors, World’s Fair Attractions, Admission—Rides, etc., Monorail—Transportation, Shows—Opera House, etc., Post-Fair Activities, Seattle Center (Post Fair).
Dates: circa 1961-1963Container: Box/Folder 1/33-46 -
Description: Menus
Menu from Hofbrau Haus; circular Eye of the Needle drinks menu.
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/47 -
Description: Maps
Rand McNally Official Map of Seattle and the World’s Fair (2 copies) and Rand McNally Detail Map of the Seattle World’s Fair
Dates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/48 -
Description: Brochures-general fair8 itemsDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/49
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Description: Brochures-"See the Rest of the great Northwest"
Brochure from the Union Oil Company of California, with illustration of the Union 76 Skyride on cover.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/49 -
Description: 2017.20.1: Brochures -"Hear Billy Graham at the World's Fair"
Card advertising event at Memorial Stadium with Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows and Geo. Beverly Shea.
Dates: 1962 July 8Container: Box/Folder 1/49a -
Description: 2019.27.1: Brochures -"You are Invited to See the Wolrd's Fair via U and I Sugar's Guest Tour"
Brochure advertising a free tour, sponsored by U and I Sugar, by Trailways bus from various points in Oregon to the fair, including free admission.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/49b -
Description: Brochures-Exhibits
Pavilion of electric power, Japanese Pavilion, Swedish Pavilion, “Canned Salmon,” water-wheel generator, “Seattleite” concept car, 1962 Fords, Jaguar automobiles, Peace Corps, "The American Home of the Immediate Future" from the United State Plywood Corporation, Sermons from Science, Richfield Oil Company. Also, promotional brochures from various countries, presumably from exhibits, though without specific reference to Century 21: Taiwan, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, and Berlin, Germany.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/50-50a -
Description: Postcards and preprinted letter
Includes pre-printed “letter” in envelope describing the fair, to be addressed and signed by the individual; and a postcard advertising the Plaza Restaurant, with pre-printed message on front and menu on verso. Includes color photo postcards of fair grounds, and 3 oversized postcards produced by IBM.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/51 -
Description: Century 21 stickersDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/52
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Description: Pink Centex ribbonDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/52
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Miscellaneous
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Description: Letter to Fair President Joseph Gandy from Chicago National Safety Council thanking Century 21 officials for accident prevention at the FairDates: circa 1963Container: Box/Folder 1/53
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Description: 2011.60.1-2: LP records of "The Canadian Tattoo," Hartley RecordsDates: circa 1962Container: Shelf 5a.4.9
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)
- Fairs–Washington (State)–Seattle
Geographical Names
- United States–Washington (State)–Seattle
Form or Genre Terms
- Ephemera
- Photographic prints
- Souvenirs
